2023 Empowerment Program for Young Women in International Participation

Written By: WFWP Taiwan

WFWP Taiwan has been hosting the annual Empowerment Program for Young Women in International Participation since 2019. This program aims to empower young women and broaden their international perspectives. It also offers young women opportunities to engage in the activities of the Non-Governmental Organizations Committee on the Status of Women (NGO CSW) forum, thereby contributing to Taiwan's enhanced visibility and integration in the global community. This year, WFWP Taiwan named the event the “2023 Empowerment Program for Young Women in International Participation.” The empowerment program is structured into three key components: an introductory level, an advanced level and an interview session.

The introductory empowerment program took place at the Taipei City Youth Development and Family Education Center on August 19-20, 2023, with the advanced level and interview sessions scheduled for October and November. Participants are youth who come from diverse backgrounds, including governmental agencies such as the Taipei Women's Center, as well as representatives from welfare foundations and NGOs. They possess a strong passion for addressing issues concerning women and girls. Notably, participant is a remarkable woman who is a survivor of sexual assault. She founded the NGO "Sunshine" with a commitment to educating the public about sexual violence and providing support to survivors. They have engaged in numerous initiatives and activities aimed at addressing these important issues.

At the beginning of the introductory empowerment program, the convener, Ms. Chao, shared a brief yet meaningful topic. Her words provided significant encouragement and confidence to the participants, urging everyone to become leaders of peace. She highlighted the importance of inner peace and the ongoing journey of self-discovery, emphasizing that it's a lifelong process. Furthermore, the program featured speakers from government sectors, universities, institutions and social enterprises, who shared their insights and expertise, enriching the introductory empowerment program. The speakers were Ms. Wang, CEO of the Department of NGO International Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Ms. Yao, Director General of the Department of Social Welfare, Taipei City Government; Ms. Ku, Senior Executive Officer of the Department of Gender Equality; Prof. Wang, Professor of the Department of Social Work and Associate Dean of the College of Social Sciences, National Taiwan University; Ms. Hsu, Director of the Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research; and Mr. Chiu, co-founder of Hao-Shi Social Enterprise.  

Additionally, there were various activities, including playing an SDGs board game, participating in discussions on the SDGs and information-gathering and joining a mock international conference led by young women who took part in the NGO CSW 67 Forum in March this year. They offered a more profound insight into the preparation and execution of the forum, demonstrating how they incorporate their personal experiences into addressing existing issues. A participant conveyed, "The insights shared during the mock conference were in perfect alignment with the themes and enriched by personal life experiences. Taking a personal perspective allowed for a profound exploration of the current challenges and they crafted solutions with a blend of enthusiasm and creativity. Their sharing also provided me with new perspectives on numerous previously unexplored topics, providing [me] with new viewpoints."

The introductory empowerment program was not only filled with rich knowledge and inspiration but also encouraged interaction and collaboration among women from various backgrounds. We are eager to enhance international involvement among young Taiwanese women, contributing to a more equitable and just society. We appreciate the support from the board members of WFWP Taiwan, the speakers, members and participants. We look forward to the upcoming advanced empowerment program scheduled for October 28-29.